Antenatal Guidelines

No.1 Management of Anaemia in pregnancy

1. Initial Management of anaemia and iron deficiency

Anaemia is defined by Hb <110g/L in the first trimester, <105g/L in the second and
third trimester and <100g/L in the postpartum period.
Anaemia can be responsible for an increased susceptibility to infection, disturbance
of postpartum emotion and effect neonatal iron stores. It is linked to pre-term labour
and low birth weight and possibly to abruption and increased PPH.
The main sources of dietary iron are red meats, fish and poultry.
A microcytic hypochromic picture suggests iron deficiency. A low serum Ferritin level
may give additional information but treatment with iron and folate (see below) can be
used as a first line and Ferritin reservfor selected cases. (see table 1) If the Ferritin
level is normal, consider the possibility of a haemoglobinopathy (e.g. thalassaemia
trait). Assessment of serum B12 levels and red cell folic levels will assist in the
identification of possible causes of macrocytic anaemia and if this is combined with
iron and folic deficiency consider possibility of coeliac disease (check tissue
transglutaminase).
The initial management of iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy (which is by far the
most common cause of anaemia) is by iron and folic acid. The BNF recommends
between 100-200mg of elemental iron per day. Available options in this circumstance
would be:
Preparation

Dose

Elemental iron

No of tablets per day

Pregaday
Ferrous sulphate (dried)
Ferrous Gluconate
Ferrous fumarate

1 tablet twice daily

1 tablet thrice daily
2 tablets thrice daily
1 tablet thrice daily

200mg
195mg
210mg
195mg

2
3 + folic acid 400mcg
6 + folic acid 400mcg
3 + folic acid 400mcg

Compliance is likely to be enhanced by using the fewest tablets per day. In

pregnancy iron absorption is reduced. It can be improved by recommending the iron
is taken with a source of vitamin C at the same time and on an empty stomach.
Avoiding tea and coffee with meals can aid absorption from the diet. For nausea and
epigastric discomfort, preparations with lower iron content should be tried, avoid slow
release and enteric coated preparations.
Once Hb is in the normal range supplementation should continue for 3 months and at
least 6 weeks postpartum to replenish iron stores. Women with Hb<100g/L in
postpartum period should be given 100-200mg elemental iron for 3 months.

CLI.MAT.GUI.668.5 Anaemia in pregnancy

Non-anaemic iron deficient women can be offered 65mg elemental iron with a repeat
Hb and serum ferritin test after 8 weeks. Those at risk include previous anaemia
sufferers, multiple pregnancy, less than 1 year interdelivery interval, vegetarians and
pregnant teenagers, Consideration to those who pose a high risk of PPH or
Jehovahs witnesses should also be given.
Anaemic women may require additional precautions for delivery, including delivery in
hospital, available iv access, blood G&S, active management of the third stage of
labour and plans for excess bleeding. If the patient has a Hb<105g/L they should be
advised to deliver in hospital.
Folic acid requirements are increased in pregnancy because of the rapidly dividing
cells in the fetus and elevated urinary losses. As the neural tube closes by day 28 of
pregnancy, a supplementation of folic acid will not prevent neural tube defects.
However, it will contribute to other aspects of maternal and fetal health.
Refractory anaemia, which has been unresponsive to the appropriate trial (i.e. two to
three weeks of oral iron), should be re-evaluated with serum Ferritin, B12, folate
levels and repeat full blood count levels to show failure in oral therapy. (Ferritin
reflects iron stores and a level less than 30g/l indicates iron depletion.)This would
initially erase the issues of patient compliance who should be encouraged to take this
medication. Following this you should treat the patient with intra-venous iron therapy.
The decision for intravenous iron therapy should only be made by a senior member
of obstetric staff.
Referral to DAW/ANC should occur if there are significant symptoms and/or severe
anaemia (Hb<70g/L) or late gestations (>34 weeks) or if there is failure to respond to
oral iron with an increase in Hb over 2-3 weeks. Other causes that could be
contributing to the anaemia should be excluded, such as folate deficiency or anaemia
of chronic disease.
Table 1
Indications for assessment of serum ferritin
Anaemic women where estimation of iron stores is necessary
Known haemoglobinopathy
Prior to parenteral iron replacement
Non-anaemic women with high risk of iron depletion
Previous anaemia
Parity 3
Consecutive pregnancy <1 year following delivery
Vegetarians
Teenage pregnancies
Recent history of significant bleeding
Non-anaemic women where estimation of iron stores is necessary
High risk of bleeding
Jehovahs witnesses

Parenteral Iron Therapy

This is indicated if there is absolute non-compliance with, or intolerance to, oral iron
therapy or proven malabsorption. Serum ferritin should always be confirmed prior to
use.
Ferinject is the treatment of choice for outpatient use, Cosmofer is for in patient use.

CLI.MAT.GUI.668.5 Anaemia in pregnancy

Protocol for the use of ferinject

Ferinject (Iron III carboxymaltose) has 50mg/ml of elemental iron. It is administered
by slow iv injection or infusion with no need for a test dose. It should be avoided in
the first trimester. Less than 1% passes into breast milk which is unlikely to be
significant. There has never been anaphylaxis with this preparation but it does carry
a small risk of anaphylactoid reaction. It is suitable for administration in DAW and
does not require any monitoring except a set of observations prior to administration.
Patients should be asked to wait in the immediate vicinity for 30 min after
administration.
The women should be provided with a patient information sheet and informed of
potential side effects and checked to see if there are any contraindications for its use.
Oral iron should be avoided for 5 days after the administration of Ferinject.
Contraindications for the use of parenteral iron, Ferinject
First Trimester
Known hypersensitivity to Ferinject or any of its excipients
Anaemia not attributed to iron deficiency
Evidence of iron overload or disturbances in utilisation of iron
Warnings and precautions
Risk/benefits need to be considered if liver dysfunction, acute/chronic
infection, atopic conditions
Avoid paravenous leakage as can lead to irritation and discolouration stop
immediately if occurs
May induce an anaphylactoid reaction, signs of allergic reaction or intolerance
stop immediately if occurs

The dose of ferinject is calculated on the pre-pregnancy/booking weight aiming for a

target Hb of 110g/l
Table 2
Ferinject dose
Hb (g/L)

Weight 35kg to <70kg

Weight 70kg

<100

1500mg

2000mg

100

1000mg

1500mg

A single dose should not exceed 1000mg of iron (20ml) per week
Undiluted solution up to 1000mg iron (up to a maximum of 15mg/kg)
A small venflon (blue/pink) is adequate, a butterfly is suitable for a small bolus.
Table 3
Dilution plan for ferinject for iv drip infusion
Ferinject
Iron
Maximum amount
of sterile 0.9%
sodium chloride
2-4ml
100-200mg
50ml
4-10ml
200-500mg
100ml
10-20ml
500-1000mg
250ml

CLI.MAT.GUI.668.5 Anaemia in pregnancy

Minimum
administration time
6 min
15 min

3. Protocol for the use of Intravenous Iron Dextran (CosmoFer)

CosmoFer is a convenient and flexible parenteral treatment of iron deficiency
anaemia. It is the only international brand that can be administered both as
intravenous (IV) infusion, intramuscular (IM) injection and total dose infusion (TDI).
CosmoFer low molecular weight iron dextran is a highly refined parenteral iron
formulation, with a well-documented safety profile.
3.1. Clinical indications
Intravenous iron is indicated for the treatment of iron deficiency in the following
situations:

Demonstrated intolerance to oral iron preparations

A clinical need to deliver iron rapidly to replenish iron stores
Patient non-compliance with oral iron therapy
Active inflammatory bowel disease where oral iron preparations are not
tolerated or contraindicated

Oral iron must not be administered concomitantly with a course of IV iron or until
5 days after the last dose.

3.2. Treatment of obstetric patients with CosmoFer

CosmoFer should not be used during the first trimester but can be used during the
second and third trimester and during lactation.
Dosing for antenatal patients should be based on booking weight (or ideal body
weight if obese at booking calculate ideal body weight for the height if BMI is over
30 and use that weight to calculate required does).

Height cm
155
157
160
163
165
168
170
173
175

Height feet inches

51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59

Ideal weight in Kg at BMI = 30

72
75
77
80
81
84
86
90
91

3.3 Contraindications
Anaemia not attributable to iron deficiency
Iron overload
A history of hypersensitivity to parental iron preparations
History of cirrhosis of the liver
Acute or chronic infection
Active rheumatoid arthritis
First trimester of pregnancy
Acute renal failure
Patients with a history of asthma, eczema or other atopic allergy
Drug hypersensitivity including mono- or di-, saccharide complexes and
dextran

CLI.MAT.GUI.668.5 Anaemia in pregnancy

3.4. Response
Due to iron metabolic pathways, a rise in reticulocyte count will occur during the
second week and thereafter one can expect a rise in haemoglobin of approximately
1.5g/week after 2 weeks.
3.5. Dosage - Total dose infusion
NB. If prescribed by SHO grade the prescription dose must be checked by obs
reg / con before admin.
The dose calculation for CosmoFer is based on patients body weight according to
the table below and is diluted in 500mL of normal saline.
1 mL Cosmofer ~ 50 mg Iron
How to select the correct dose of CosmoFer
In the left hand column, find the body weight closest to the patients body weight,
read across this row to the column headed by the patients current haemoglobin
value, values for body weight and haemoglobin must be rounded up or down to the
nearest stated value. The number at this point is the dose required (in milligrams of
iron).

Body
Weight
(kg)
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
90

Actual Haemoglobin (g/dL)

7
1075
1125
1200
1275
1350
1425
1500
1575
1650
1700
1775

8
975
1025
1100
1150
1200
1275
1325
1400
1450
1500
1575

9
875
925
975
1025
1075
1100
1150
1200
1250
1300
1350

10
775
800
850
875
925
950
1000
1025
1075
1100
1125

11
675
700
725
750
775
800
825
850
875
900
925

12
575
600
600
625
625
650
650
675
675
700
700

Example:
Body weight 74kg,
Current Hb 8.2g/dL
Rounding up / down weight 75kg
Hb 8g/dL
Dose is 1400mg iron (28 ml Cosmofer injection) in 500 ml Sodium Chloride 0.9%.
CosmoFer must be added to 500 mL of Sodium Chloride 0.9% IV infusion and
infused over 4 hours. The patient should be observed for 1 hour after completion of
the infusion.

CLI.MAT.GUI.668.5 Anaemia in pregnancy

3.6. Dosage Total dose infusion exceeding 20mg/kg

If the dose is in bold letters, it exceeds the total upper limit for total dose infusion
(20mg/kg body weight) and must be administered as a divided dose.
One week for every 600mg of iron given in the first infusion should be allowed
between the first and second doses. For example if 1200mg of iron was given in the
first dose, then the second infusion should be given 2 weeks later.
3.7. Test dose
The first infusion of CosmoFer must include a test dose. Facilities for
cardiopulmonary resuscitation/treatment of anaphylaxis must be available.

25mg of CosmoFer should be infused over a period of 15 minutes.

The patient should then be observed for one hour.
If no adverse reactions are seen, give the remaining dose.

For subsequent doses the 25mg test dose must still be given, however there is no
requirement for the one hour observation period.

Calculating the test dose

The test dose is taken from the complete infusion bag and is calculated as follows:
25mg X total volume in bag (500mL)
Total iron in bag (in mg)

Example:
25mg X 500mL
1400mg

= 9mL

To set infusion pump:

Amount required (in mL) X 4 = mL/hr
eg 9mL required over 15 minutes,
Multiply by 4 to get hourly rate = 36mL/hr.

Volume to be infused (VTBI)

Set as 9mL, the pump will then alarm after 15 minutes.

Continuing the infusion

The remainder of the infusion should be given at the rate of 125 mL
per hour after 1 hour of observation.

3.8. Patient monitoring

Blood pressure and pulse should be monitored prior to the infusion and
every 15 minutes during the test dose and observation period.
For the remaining dosage, BP and pulse should be monitored every 30 to
60 minutes or as clinically indicated.
Incidence of Fetal heart abnormalities is <1/10,000 so routine CTG
monitoring is not recommended during the transfusion.
3.9. In the event of serious anaphylaxis
Stop infusion
Call for help fast bleep anaesthetist & obstetric registrar.

CLI.MAT.GUI.668.5 Anaemia in pregnancy

A.B.C. (Airway, breathing, circulation)

0.5 ml intramuscular 1:1,000 adrenaline repeat if necessary.
If cardiac arrest call 2222.

3.10. If mild reaction

Stop infusion
Give 200mg IV Hydrocortisone
Be aware that this medication may cause HYPOTENSION
3.11. Follow-up
Full blood count, reticulocyte and iron profile should be checked 3 weeks after the
CosmoFer infusion.
Simplified flow chart for the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia
Please note the following should be used in conjunction with the full
guideline and each case individualised
l

1st trimester
Hb<110g/L

2nd-3rd Trimester
Hb<105g/L

Postpartum
Hb<100g/L

Oral iron and folic acid until Hb in

the normal range for 3 months
e.g. FeSO4 200mg TDS
Folic acid 0.4mg OD

Iron
deficiency
alone

65mg
elemental
iron OD
e.g. FeSO4
200mg OD

FU FBC at 2-3 weeks

Improvement in Hb
Advise continuation
until 3 months after
Hb within normal
range

Check Ferritin and

compliance if no
significant change

Consider parenteral iron if

ferritin <30g/L with FH
FBC and ferritin at 3 weeks

CLI.MAT.GUI.668.5 Anaemia in pregnancy

4. Record keeping
It is expected that every episode of care be recorded clearly, in chronological order
and as contemporaneously as possible by all healthcare professionals as per
Hospital Trust Policy. This is in keeping with standards set by professional colleges,
i.e. NMC and RCOG.
All entries must have the date and time together with signature and printed name.

Monitoring and Audit

Auditable standards:
Please refer to audit tool, location: Maternity on cl2-file11, Guidelines
Reports to:
Clinical Effectiveness Committee responsible for action plan and implementation of
recommendations from audit
Clinical Governance & Risk Management Committee
Frequency of audit:
Annual
Responsible person:
SHO/Registrar/Consultant

Cross references
TRW/MMA/POL/271/5 Intravenous Drug Administration Policy
TRW/MMA/POL/265/2 Policy for the Safe and Secure Handling of Medicines
Antenatal Guideline 44 Guideline Development within Maternity Services
Antenatal guideline 31: Maternity Hand Held Notes, Hospital Records and Record keeping

References
National Collaborating Centre for Womens and Childrens Health Commissioned by the national
Institute of Clinical Excellence (2003) Screening for haematological conditions Chapter 8 pp.
67 71 in Antenatal care: routine care for the healthy pregnant woman. RCOG Press: London.
British National Formulary Sect 9.1.1.1
UK guidelines on the management of iron deficiency in pregnancy, British Journal of
Haemoatology, 2012, 156, 588-600

Author
Work
Address
Version
Changes
Date Ratified

Rachel Roberts, Guideline Committee

Maternity Unit, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, Devon, PL6 8DH
5
Severe asthma downgraded to asthma as a contraindication for
CosmoFer
Addition of Ferinjet for out-patient use
Valid Until Date
Jun 14
Jun 17

CLI.MAT.GUI.668.5 Anaemia in pregnancy